Heaven is the shore of mortal dust

Chapter 92

“He’s finally back. Let him in.”

A thin man entered and knelt on the carpet. "Khan, I have ascertained the enemy's situation."

"Stand up and speak," Wei Zijun gestured.

The man stood up and said, "Da Yu has already dispatched troops, with 200,000 men departing from Jingzhao County."

Who is leading the troops?

"Reporting to the Khan, it was General Cai Liangao, a first-rank official, who volunteered for the battle."

A trace of worry crossed Wei Zijun's face, and she frowned. "Cai Liangao! Volunteering for battle? He probably still hates me. It seems we have no choice but to fight this battle, and I'm afraid it will be a fierce one."

"Yes, Khan. Cai Liangao volunteered for the battle and was appointed as the Grand Commander of the Jiaohe Road Army."

"The Grand Commander of the Jiaohe Road Army?" Wei Zijun pondered for a moment. "It seems he's heading towards Gaochang."

Wei Zijun raised her head and reported to the scout: "Continue to investigate and see if they are taking the Jiaohe route?"

"yes."

After all the officials had left, Wei Zijun sighed. Another war was about to break out, and more people would die. But why was he facing Da Yu? He didn't want to face them, didn't want to plunge his sword into their chests. T looked up; He Lu was still there. "Why aren't you going back to rest? It's late."

He Lu approached and lifted her chin. Wei Zijun felt a pang of panic; what was he going to do?

He bent down to examine the scrape on her chin closely. "Does it still hurt?"

"It doesn't hurt, it's almost healed." Wei Zijun lowered his eyes awkwardly. Did he really need to look so closely? He was practically touching her face.

For some reason, He Lu has been making these embarrassing little gestures lately.

Upon hearing her answer, He Lu did not get up, but instead pouted and blew on her wound.

Wei Zijun felt a sudden wave of dizziness and placed her fair hand on his chest. "He... He Lu, you should go back and rest. I'm tired."

"Don't you need me to sleep with you? I'm your favorite concubine." He Lu blinked.

"When I'm stronger, I certainly won't let you off the hook." Wei Zijun smiled wickedly.

He Lu glanced at Wei Zijun and wondered to himself, "Why hasn't he been drinking lately?"

October of the first year of the Jiande era of the Dayu era.

Lian Gao, the General of the Cavalry of Dayu and the Grand General of the Army at Jiaohe Road, led an army of 200,000 to conquer the Western Turks. The army marched from Jingzhao County straight to Gaochang, the capital of the Western Turks. However, after passing Dunhuang County, half of the army suddenly disappeared.

After hearing the scout report, the officials discussed among themselves, speculating about what tricks the Dayu army was up to.

"A feint to the east while attacking the west?" Wei Zijun glanced at the assembled officials and a faint smile appeared on his lips. "The Dayu army's objective this time is to march on my Western Turkic Khanate. Therefore, they must first attack Yanzhe, enter from Yanzhe, then attack Kucha, and then directly seize my Khanate. Going to Gaochang is merely a feint to the east while attacking the west; their true purpose is to openly repair the plank road while secretly crossing the Chencang pass."

"Khan, I believe they intend to conquer Gaochang, open up the road to the Silk Road, and free the Silk Road from the control of our Western Turks," said Geshu Quesijin.

"Not so!" Wei Zijun raised an eyebrow. "Gaochang's city walls are high and sturdy, easy to defend and difficult to attack. Dayu is seven thousand miles away from Gaochang. The sandy land is vast, with no water or grass, and the climate is abnormal. If Dayu were to send a large army, they would surely be exhausted. Going to Gaochang is just a pretext."

"Khan, have they really gone?"

"Hmm." Wei Zijun nodded, her face radiating unquestionable confidence. "The garrison in Yanqi is only ten thousand strong. Attacking Yanqi can still open up the Silk Road. Most importantly, attacking Yanqi can directly attack the Khanate. They intend to attack Gaochang with a small force, forcing our army to send a large contingent to Gaochang for reinforcement. By the time our army reaches Gaochang, they will have already defeated Yanqi in one fell swoop, then quickly conquer Kucha, and their main force will advance straight into our Khanate. Their plan is quite clever; it can both disperse our Khanate's forces and deceive others."

"Khan, I am willing to lead troops to defend Yanqi." Geshu Queshijin believed their Khan's words without a doubt.

“Yes, defense is necessary, but it’s also good to abide by the law.” Wei Zijun glanced at the ministers. “Geshu Quesijin, Shabolo Yehu, and Asijie Nishusijin, please stay. The rest of you may leave.”

After all the ministers had left, Wei Zijun said, "Yanqi City is surrounded by water on all sides. The Dayu army will surely think that our terrain is particularly dangerous and will be less vigilant. So let's do the opposite and strengthen the defense of Yanqi."

"Khan, I think we should stay indoors and not stand still. We should just fire arrows from the city wall, and they will surely fire arrows back at us. We should tie bundles of straw to the city wall and do a 'borrowing arrows with straw boats' like Zhuge Liang did." Geshu Quesijin said his plan with a smug look on his face.

Wei Zijun chuckled, "Good, good plan."

Geshu Queqijin blushed. "Khan, you're making fun of me!"

Seeing this, Wei Zijun's lips curled into a wider grin. "Indeed a brilliant plan. Heh—heh—"

Geshu Quesijin lowered his head in a huff and remained silent. Wei Zijun's smile turned into a loud laugh. "Let's do as Geshu Quesijin plans, hahaha—"

"Really?" Geshu Quesijin looked up excitedly.

"Hmm." Wei Zijun glanced at him and smiled, "But it needs to be improved. He Lu, what do you think is the best way to improve it?"

He Lu was watching the amusing pair of ruler and minister and was also laughing. When she asked him, he replied, "If the Dayu army wants to attack the city, they must first cross the river. Our army must annihilate them when they cross the river."

Wei Zijun nodded approvingly. "Khan, I think we can scatter poison on the river and kill them all when they cross it," Asijieni Shusijin suggested.

Wei Zijun chuckled again, "That's not good. Many of my Western Turkic herders drink from this river. Don't let a moment of pleasure harm the region."

He put down his teacup, raised his head, and carefully scanned the faces of the men before straightening his expression and saying, “If the Dayu army attacks Yanqi, they will surely cross the river at night and launch their attack at dawn. Geshu Quesijin, you will take 30,000 troops to reinforce the city. Rest during the day and prepare the entire army at night to monitor the river. As soon as the Dayu army crosses the river, unleash a volley of arrows to annihilate them on the river. Then send 5,000 elite cavalry to Gaochang. We only need to increase our defenses; we don’t need to engage the enemy.”

"Yes, Khan." Asijieni Shusijin respectfully accepted the order. He had previously looked down on this young, handsome man from Da Yu, but now he held him in high esteem and admiration. From that verbal debate and military conquest long ago, he had been convinced of his worth. Having witnessed his actions firsthand along the way, his admiration and loyalty had only grown stronger.

Each day is more like the last.

"Khan, you're truly amazing." The honest and simple-minded Geshu Queqijin's eyes shone with admiration. Wei Zijun forced a smile.

After making these arrangements, she felt a sharp pain in her heart. How many lives would be lost, how many families would be broken, and how many wives would never see their husbands return, all because of her small plan?

Why must there be war?

Volume Two, Chapter Eighty-Two: Victory

Just as Wei Zijun had predicted, the 100,000-strong army of Dayu changed course and headed towards Yanqi. They swam across the river at night and were attacked by the Western Turkic army without any preparation.

In the Battle of Yanqi, Dayu lost 30,000 elite troops, and the remaining 70,000 elite troops retreated to the sand dunes on the border between the two countries to set up camp and await orders.

The Karashar River surrounding Yanqi turned red, with layers upon layers of floating corpses. Young faces floated on the surface, swollen and pale after being soaked overnight.

Standing on the city wall of Yanqi, Wei Zijun gazed at the river dyed red, and a sudden wave of sorrow washed over her.

"The night is cold, and the night watchman's voice is heavy."

The iron ore has no dormancy.

After the clouds part, the sun will shine again.

I have not seen you return.

"Alas—" A long sigh, heavy with sorrow and helplessness.

“The Khan is benevolent and virtuous, and cannot bear to see killing.” A crisp female voice came from behind. Wei Zijun turned around, and the speaker was Ba'erke, the daughter of Yanqi King Tuqizhi. Ever since this woman saw Wei Zijun, this young and promising Khan, her eyes had been fixed on him, almost never looking away.

"Alas, Ba'erke, I am helpless. I just feel that these people should live well. Their parents, wives and daughters are waiting for them to return, but now they can never go back." A trace of pain flashed in his clear eyes.

"Khan, do not be sad. To die on the battlefield and be wrapped in a horse's hide is their fate. You, Khan, have no choice in this matter." Ba'erke's big eyes swept over Wei Zijun's face, his beautiful face filled with admiration.

"That being said, they are all lives after all." Looking up at the sky, "Winter is coming soon again."

"The Khan is truly kind-hearted, but this is the consequence of their invasion of our country." Ba'erke followed Wei Zijun's gaze and looked over, where several wild geese flew south.

Wei Zijun lowered her head. "But what wrong have they done? They were just following orders. The only one who is wrong is that person in high and mighty."

She remembered telling him to be a benevolent and virtuous ruler, but how did he actually do it?

"Khan—" King Turgenez of Yanqi walked over, followed by his younger brother Jiebi Yehu, Geshu Quesijin, and Helu.

Jiebi Yehu appeared overjoyed, "I've never fought such a satisfying battle before, hahaha... Khan, the feast is ready, let's celebrate quickly!"

"What is there to celebrate? The war is far from over," Wei Zijun said calmly, raising her eyes.

"Then why did the Khan order us to hold a banquet?" Jiebi Yehu asked, somewhat puzzled.

"We have to make a show of it to the enemy. If nothing unexpected happens, Da Yu will launch another night attack tonight."

Seeing the surprised looks on their faces, Wei Zijun continued, "They retreated so far to give us the illusion that they were retreating and resting. They will also think that we are certain they will not attack for the time being, and thus they will be less vigilant. Therefore, they will definitely regroup and launch a surprise attack, using the same method as last time. Tonight will be the night when we are least on guard. Geshu Quesijin, do you know what to do?"

"I know, I will make careful arrangements tonight and make them suffer the same fate as yesterday," Geshu Que Sijin laughed heartily.

Wei Zijun nodded, "Tuqizhi, you should rush to make 10,000 sets of military uniforms for Dayu."

"Khan, what's the use?" the Turgenev asked, puzzled.

"You'll need it eventually." It was still a simple statement.

The victory banquet was exceptionally lively, with almost all the officials and nobles of Yanqi attending. Meanwhile, the soldiers in armor waited solemnly for the night to fall.

"Khan, on behalf of all the people of Yanqi, I toast you. It is because of you that our Western Turks are so strong. It is because of you that we can drink the fine wine brewed from grain. You are the Khan born of heaven and earth, the guardian deity sent to us by heaven, our sun, our god." Tuqizhi became more and more excited as he spoke, and he tilted his head back and gulped down a large bowl of wine.

Wei Zijun's lips twitched; this long string of praise made her skin crawl.

"Khan, why haven't you taken a wife yet? You are our Khan, you should marry and have children sooner rather than later." Turgenev blushed and said, "If you don't mind, Khan, I really like you."

“Brother, it’s not that the Khan doesn’t want to marry, it’s that the Khan has unspeakable suffering.” After saying this, Jiebi Yehu turned to Wei Zijun in a loud voice, “Khan, is your illness still not cured? Hasn’t the Khan found a famous doctor to cure it thoroughly?”

"Huh? What kind of treatment?" Wei Zijun couldn't recall having any illness.

"The Khan's hidden ailment!" Jiebi Yehu's loud voice drowned out all others. "The Khan is still so young. Isn't it a great pity that he can't have sex?"

Wei Zijun's face contorted with frustration, and her lips twitched for a long time before she finally managed to squeeze out a few words, "This ailment is already chronic and incurable."

Alas—the crowd sighed again. Such talent, what a pity, what a pity.

He Lu, standing to the side, remained expressionless upon hearing this. Impotent? Perhaps he simply doesn't like women. He turned his head slightly and whispered, "Feng probably doesn't like women; he only loves the late King."

Seeing that he was making sarcastic remarks again, Wei Zijun felt helpless. "He Lu, do you believe that my relationship with the late king is completely innocent?"

"Even if I believed him, so what? You're lying in the same bed, how could he just stand there and not touch or kiss you?" Thinking of his adorable sleeping face, who could let him lie there for nothing? Who knows where he'd touched him? Humph.

“You…” Wei Zijun turned away angrily and let out a long sigh.

He Lu ignored him, grabbed the wine pot, and filled Wei Zijun's cup to the brim again.

Wei Zijun glanced at the full wine glass and looked at He Lu. "He Lu, why do you seem to be trying to get me drunk? What do you mean by this? Why are you pouring so much wine?"

He Lu blinked. "No, you haven't had a drink in a long time. I just wanted to help you forget your troubles."

"Forget? There's still fighting tonight, how could I forget?"

Wei Zijun stopped drinking, not because she was worried about the war, but because she believed her plans were foolproof. Back in her room, she couldn't sleep. The thought of the tens of thousands of corpses floating in the river made it impossible for her to find peace. She picked up a book and flipped through a couple of pages, but couldn't even finish a single line.

"Khan? Are you asleep?" A female voice rang out from outside, sounding like Ba'erke.

"Ba'erke? Is something the matter?" Wei Zijun asked tentatively.

"Khan, I noticed you haven't eaten much during the day, so I made you a bowl of noodle soup," the person outside replied.

Not wanting to leave a woman waiting outside with a bowl, he opened the door, even though he was too lazy to entertain her.

Ba'erke walked in with a smile, "The Khan's guards are really something, they've followed us the whole time."